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TOMMY RIDGLEY

Biography

Tommy Ridgley, born Thomas Herman Ridgley on October 30, 1925, in the Shrewsbury district of New Orleans, was a pivotal figure in the city’s Rhythm & Blues scene for over five decades. Raised in a musical family and singing in the church choir, Ridgley’s early exposure to music shaped his smooth vocal style and affinity for blues and ballads. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he returned to New Orleans and began studying music, soon drawing inspiration from local R&B luminary Roy Brown. Ridgley’s professional break came in 1949 with the release of “Shrewsbury Blues” and “Early Dawn Boogie” on Imperial Records, produced by Dave Bartholomew, which established him as a key progenitor of New Orleans jump blues and R&B.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Ridgley recorded for major labels such as Decca, Atlantic, Herald, Ric, and Ron, consistently producing regional hits though never achieving a major national breakthrough. He formed his own band, The Untouchables, which became the celebrated house band at the legendary Dew Drop Inn, backing and opening for stars like James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and Little Richard. Ridgley’s style blended blues, R&B, and the emerging sounds of soul, and his reputation as a bandleader and songwriter made him a cornerstone of New Orleans music. Despite shifts in popular music, Ridgley’s career endured, with renewed recognition during the revival of New Orleans R&B in the 1970s and continued performances at festivals and clubs until his death in 1999. His legacy is marked by over 70 recordings and his influence on the city’s musical landscape.

Fun Facts

  • Tommy Ridgley was nicknamed 'The New King of the Stroll' after Chuck Willis, reflecting his mastery of the popular dance style.
  • He was the eldest of seventeen siblings, though only eight survived to adulthood.
  • Ridgley’s song 'Tra La La' was covered by pop singer Pat Boone, bringing his work to a wider audience.
  • He founded his own label, TuDor Records, later in his career to release new material and reissues.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

  • Roy Brown - Major stylistic influence and inspiration for Ridgley’s vocal approach and songwriting. (General influence on early recordings and performance style.) [Late 1940s]
  • Dave Bartholomew - Band leader and producer who gave Ridgley his first recording break and helped shape his early sound. (Produced 'Shrewsbury Blues', 'Early Dawn Boogie', and other Imperial Records sessions.) [1949–early 1950s]

Key Collaborators

  • The Untouchables - Ridgley’s own band, house band at Dew Drop Inn, recorded and performed extensively with him. (Singles for Herald Records, live performances at Dew Drop Inn.) [1957–1960s]
  • Ray Charles - Played piano on Ridgley’s Atlantic Records sessions. ('Ooh Lawdy My Baby', 'I'm Gonna Cross That River') [Early 1950s]
  • Irma Thomas - Hired by Ridgley to sing with The Untouchables and recommended her to Ric Records. (Live performances; facilitated her recording debut.) [Late 1950s]
  • Dave Bartholomew Orchestra - Ridgley was lead vocalist and recorded several early singles with the group. ('Shrewsbury Blues', 'Early Dawn Boogie', 'Tra La La') [1949–early 1950s]

Artists Influenced

  • Irma Thomas - Ridgley’s mentorship and recommendation launched her recording career. (Early Ric Records releases by Irma Thomas.) [Late 1950s–early 1960s]
  • Numerous New Orleans musicians - As a bandleader and fixture at the Dew Drop Inn, Ridgley influenced generations of R&B and soul performers. (General influence on New Orleans R&B scene.) [1950s–1990s]

Connection Network

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Discography

Albums

Title Release Date Type
The Tommy Ridgley Collection 1949-61 2012-08-13 Album
The New Orleans King Of The Stroll 1988-01-01 Album
Giving You R'n'B! (Remastered) 2021-10-08 Album
Crescent City Bounce: From Blues To R&B In New Orleans, CD B 2007-01-01 Album
Tommy Ridgley 2024-04-02 Album
Since The Blues Began 2024-04-02 Album
Wild New Orleans Rhythm and Blues 2022-02-04 Album
Titanium Hits 2019-03-29 Album
Titanium Hits 2018-11-27 Album
Jam Up 2018-02-23 Album
Shrewsbury Blues 2015-02-07 Album
Just A Memory 2015-02-07 Album
Early Dawn Boogie 2015-02-07 Album
Titanium Hits 2014-10-28 Album
Blues Classics 1949-1954 2011-07-01 Album

Top Tracks

  1. Jam Up
  2. My Love Gets Stronger
  3. I Want Some Money Baby (The New Orleans King Of The Stroll)
  4. Jam Up Twist
  5. In The Same Old Way (Essential Louisiana R&B)
  6. In The Same Old Way
  7. Jam Up
  8. Jam up Twist - Remastered (Giving You R'n'B! (Remastered))
  9. Early Dawn Boogie (The Tommy Ridgley Collection 1949-61)
  10. Ooh Lawdy My Baby (The Tommy Ridgley Collection 1949-61)

Tags: #new-orleans-r&b, #r&b

References

  1. tommyridgley.com
  2. kids.kiddle.co
  3. jasmine-records.co.uk
  4. musicrising.tulane.edu

Heard on WWOZ

TOMMY RIDGLEY has been played 8 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.

DateTimeTitleShowSpotify
Dec 4, 202514:39Jam UpBluesw/ DJ Giant
Nov 24, 202514:25FLY IN MY PIEfrom FUNK Y FUNKY NEW ORLEANS VOL.7Blues Eclecticw/ Andrew Grafe
Nov 14, 202504:28I Love You, Yes I Dofrom How LongOvernight Music - Friday
Oct 30, 202519:14Jam Up (Twist)from King of the Stroll 1R&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri
Oct 30, 202519:11In The Same Old Wayfrom The Jewel/Paula Soul StoryR&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri
Oct 30, 202519:09Loopedfrom King of the Stroll 1R&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri
Oct 30, 202519:08Got You On My Mindfrom King of the Stroll 1R&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri
Oct 27, 202514:47LOOPEDfrom THE EARLY 50S IN NEW ORLEANSBlues Eclecticw/ Andrew Grafe